Expected lab results for Pregnancy/Labor/Postpartum?

[BBQvegan]

Hi all,

I am trying to find a good reference that lists all kinds of normal lab results for all stages of pregnancy and childbirth. How do labs deviate from the non-pregnant patient's norms? I'm looking for everything -- H&H, fibrinogen,albumin, WBC, U/A, etc

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks! ~

[lmc512]

For postpartum we mostly are looking at CBC's specifically WBC, H&H, and Platelets. WBC's are generally elevated from the trauma of delivery, i would not worry about them unless they are over 20 and the pt has a fever, not concerned about H&H until it is below 8 and 20 but you still have to look at what their predelivery was to see how much they dropped and are they symptomatic and platelets i am not really concerrned until they are below 140 but then again 140 could be great if they had HELLP. it all depends on their situation.

[LittleLisaLawrence]

you may find understanding diagnostic tests in the childbearing year: a holistic approach by anne frye helpful. as of right now it’s sold out on amazon.com, but you can purchase it on anne frye’s website: http://www.midwiferybooks.com/

[cherokeesummer]

Yes I need to learn more about these things too! At work when a baby's blood work comes back they are like oh he has 8 bands and I'm like ok what does that mean?! I really don't understand it, we didn't learn a lot about lab values in nursing school that I can recall!

[BBQvegan]

Thanks! Anyone know other resources, especially free websites?

[NurseNora, BSN, RN]

The STABLE program has a section on neonatal lab work which explains that very well. The percentage of various types of white cells to the total means different things at different ages (hours from birth).

The program is designed for nurses working in units that transport their sick babies to a hospital with a higher level of care. It is about stabilizing the infant for transport. Well worth attending if you ship your sick babes out or even if you just want more information.